Comments on: Ted Stevens Indicted on Corruption Charges

By: Bruce Moomaw

Bruce Moomaw — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 01:02:31 +0000

It would be kind of nice if more of you guys had emulated Charles Austin and actually bothered to follow the lengthy string of articles on the progress of the case against William "Cold Cash" Jefferson. The number of REPUBLICAN Congressmen who raised screaming hell at the time about the FBI searching his office was quite amazing, and raises certain questions about the possible contents of their own offices.

By: graywolf

graywolf — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:59:00 +0000

The only way the Republicans get out from under this (as opposed to 2006 when they took the "deer in the headlights" approach) is to make this little porkbarrel martinet walk the gang plank.
If he won't resign, hang him out to dry as publicly as possible.
Oops, I'm talking about gutless clueless Republicans here; no chance of doing anything coherent or intelligent.

By: Alex Knapp

Alex Knapp — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:47:48 +0000

Bithead,

It's always an election year.

By: Bithead

Bithead — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:26:07 +0000

Well, given the level of competence we have come to expect from the modern GOP, I think that the concept of Hastert and Mukasey colluding to suppress the prosecution of a Democrat and hang a member of the GOP out to dry is a credible one...

I tend to doubt the corner offices are involved here. But certainly, something's out of kilter, given the timing of these issues. Career people, perhaps. When something comes out so perfectly wrong, it does seem to me to strecth the crediblity of the argument that this timing is all mere coincidence.

By: joe

joe — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 14:57:17 +0000

While it is sad that such a high ranking and seemingly well respected member of our nation's government is breaking the law, it is reassuring to know that the law applies to all citizens. I hope that this investigation and trial doesn't lead to simple sanctions, but a serious pursuit of justice.

By: anjin-san

anjin-san — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 04:27:51 +0000

Well, given the level of competence we have come to expect from the modern GOP, I think that the concept of Hastert and Mukasey colluding to suppress the prosecution of a Democrat and hang a member of the GOP out to dry is a credible one...

By: peterh

peterh — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 03:59:23 +0000

“But of course, it's just an accident of timing that all this comes up again smack dab in the middle of the election as I suggested it would over a year ago.”

Yeah bit….one has to wonder what the heck is going on over at the DOJ….I mean…really….one would think Mukasey could suppress the GOP hijinks and elevate the dem hijinks…..then again….one could say Monica just didn’t have enough time to complete her weeding project and Mukasey is in the unenviable position of herding cats…..yeah…that’s the ticket….***snark***

By: charles austin

charles austin — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 03:26:33 +0000

Smaller government, please. It may be the only way to limit the corruption.

By: Surprise, Surprise - Republican Senator Ted “Bridge To Nowhere” Stevens Of Alaska Indicted On Multiple Criminal Charges | THE GUN TOTING LIBERAL™

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 01:24:43 +0000

[...] — Outside The Beltway’s Alex Knapp in his direct response to Kevin Drum’s comment above (Right): “… Tough to argue with that. Stevens was a notorious pork coopersmith, and to [...]

By: anjin-san

anjin-san — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 01:22:43 +0000

Then the House, led by Dennis Hastert, forced DOJ to give them back claiming constitutional violations

Well, that pretty much gives lie to the argument that Democrats are "protecting" him, now doesn't it? With that avenue blocked, perhaps the DOJ could go down other ones to hold Jefferson accountable. But then I think we have all learned not to expect much from the Bush ~~DOJ~~ Office of Political Enforcement. It is clean that corruption is endemic on both sides of the aisle. Here in the heavily Democratic San Francisco Bay Area, it is mind boggling.

By: just me

just me — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 23:29:47 +0000

Good riddance.

By: charles austin

charles austin — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 23:18:14 +0000

DOJ took action and confiscated files from his office to prepare a case. Then the House, led by Dennis Hastert, forced DOJ to give them back claiming constitutional violations related to executive overreach. So, I guess we have to wait for Congress to police itself. Good luck with that.

By: Anderson

Anderson — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 22:09:20 +0000

Wow! No one saw this coming.

By: davod

davod — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 21:44:51 +0000

"Time will tell, though, whether there’s enough evidence to warrant a conviction."

The case will be heard in the DC courts. He is a gonner.

By: Richard Gardner

Richard Gardner — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 20:40:01 +0000

Anchorage Daily News published an overview in May of the events and players that extend well beyond Senator Stevens that I recommend scanning. For example Rep Young has spent over a million in lawyers' fees. Being in Senator Stevens' home state, the paper has the best coverage I've seen on the issue. The case against Rep Wm Jefferson (LA) is slowly winding its way through the courts, scheduled to begin Dec 2 in Northern VA. He is facing 5 challengers in the Sept 6 Dem Primary and is having fund raising issues.